Kaito’s breath was unsteady as he kept his eyes on the colossal creature before him. Now that he had a closer look, the extent of its injuries became even clearer. One of its eyes was profusely bleeding, the viscous dark liquid running down its furred face, and a massive gash marred its underbelly, deep enough that Kaito could see raw flesh beneath.


    Was it already dying?


    The thought crossed his mind, offering a flicker of hope. If it was on its last legs, maybe he did not need to fight it at all. Maybe he could just wait it out. His fingers flexed around the hilt of his sword as he considered his options. Fighting a monster this large, even if it was injured, was suicide. He needed to hide, to disappear, to let nature finish its work.


    His mind raced as he scanned the terrain. There were large roots and fallen logs that could serve as cover. The trees were thick enough that he might be able to climb and stay out of reach. But would it be enough? His enhanced perception told him that the Behemoth was still dangerous, even in its weakened state. One wrong move, and it would be the end of him.


    A deep groan rumbled from the beast’s chest, shaking the air like distant thunder. Kaito instinctively ducked behind a boulder, pressing himself against the cool stone. He willed himself to be still, controlling his breathing, trying to suppress his presence as best he could.


    He remembered the skill he had obtained from the Direwolf Scouts, Environmental Synchronization. He focused on it, urging his body to blend into the surroundings.


    Almost immediately, he felt a subtle shift, as though his presence was fading into the background. The rustling of leaves around him, the faint scent of blood and earth, it all seemed to mask him, making him harder to detect. It worked.


    For a moment, it seemed as if the Behemoth would collapse, but then it took another step, the ground quaking beneath its weight. Kaito flinched. How long could this go on? Could he really just hide until it succumbed to its wounds?


    The idea seemed logical, but a sense of unease crept into his gut. There was something unnatural about the Behemoth’s endurance. Even in such a state, it refused to die.


    He shifted his position carefully, moving to another hiding spot, deeper into the foliage. Every movement was calculated, his body tense with the fear of being noticed. The Behemoth sniffed the air, as if searching for something, its remaining eye glowing faintly in the dim forest light. Kaito held his breath, praying it would not detect him.


    But his luck did not hold.


    The Behemoth suddenly let out a deep, guttural snarl and swung its massive claw in his direction. The impact shattered the trees where he had been crouching just moments ago, sending splinters and debris flying. Kaito barely managed to roll away, his heart hammering as he pressed himself low against the earth.


    It knew he was here.


    A second strike came, crashing against the ground and causing the earth to quake violently. Kaito struggled to keep his balance as he scrambled to another hiding spot. He could not outrun something this large forever. Every time he shifted positions, the Behemoth would sniff the air, turn its bloodied eye, and launch another attack. Each attempt to remain hidden was met with another devastating strike, forcing him into an exhausting cycle of escape.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    His breathing was ragged, his legs burning from the constant movement. His stamina was draining dangerously fast, each dodge and sprint consuming what little remained. His health had not fully recovered from the previous battles either. One direct hit, and he would be dead.


    How much longer can I keep this up?


    The Behemoth suddenly reared back, its massive limbs coiling before slamming down with devastating force. Kaito tried to react, but he was too slow.


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    [Health: 432 / 2,200]


    <hr>


    A sharp gasp tore from his throat as he collapsed onto the dirt. His vision blurred from the impact, his limbs trembling. His ribs, something was definitely broken. He coughed, his breath wheezing as a sharp pain stabbed through his chest.


    Move. Get up. If you stay down, you are dead.


    His body screamed in protest, but he forced himself to roll over. The Behemoth was not stopping.


    Another attack came, a sweeping motion of its massive tail. Kaito barely managed to throw himself sideways, but the shockwave sent him tumbling through the dirt. His head spun, the world tilting around him.


    <hr>


    [Health: 298 / 2,200]


    <hr>


    Blood dripped from a wound on his forehead, warm and sticky against his skin. His arms shook as he tried to push himself up. His stamina was almost gone, his health dangerously low. He was running on borrowed time.


    Another explosion of dirt erupted behind him as the Behemoth stomped the ground, forcing him into a desperate dive. His body rolled awkwardly, pain flaring through his shoulder as he landed hard against a jagged rock.


    Gritting his teeth, he crawled into a dense cluster of roots and tangled vines, forcing himself to stay still. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to move, to keep running, but he had no choice. He had to disappear.


    The Behemoth growled again, its steps slowing. It turned its head, nostrils flaring as it searched for him.


    Kaito pressed himself as low as possible, barely daring to breathe. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, drowning out all other sound. For several agonizing moments, the beast remained still, as if deciding whether to continue its assault.


    Then, after what felt like an eternity, it let out a heavy, shuddering breath and swayed on its feet. The damage it had sustained was catching up to it. It took another step, its body quivering under its own weight. It was near the end.


    With a final, labored breath, the Behemoth let out a deep, rumbling groan and collapsed onto its side. The impact sent a tremor through the ground, nearly knocking Kaito off his feet. Dust and loose leaves spiraled into the air as the massive creature lay motionless, its strength finally giving out.


    As the dust settled, Kaito’s eyes were drawn to the gaping wound in the Behemoth’s underbelly. It was massive, deeper than he had originally thought. The torn flesh exposed layers of muscle and bone, as if something had carved through it with terrifying precision.


    Whatever had inflicted this injury had done so with immense power.


    Kaito hesitated, gripping his sword tightly. The beast was no longer moving, but its sheer presence was still overwhelming. Was it truly dead? Or was this just another trick of endurance, another moment where he would have to flee?


    His instincts screamed at him to stay cautious, but another thought pushed its way into his mind.


    If the Behemoth had fallen, this might be his only chance to act. He kept a tight grip on his sword and kept glancing at the gaping wound in the Behemoth''s underbelly. He was not sure what to do.


    The minutes stretched on. His body ached from remaining crouched and still, but he dared not move carelessly. His heartbeat was the only sound he could focus on, echoing in his ears. He kept count of the time, watching as his mission clock ticked downward.


    <hr>


    [Mission Time Remaining: Ten Minutes]


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